Revision as of 09:12, 3 June 2009

The Alaska Shipping Tax Initiative, also known as Ballot Measure 2, was on the August 22, 2006 primary election ballot in Alaska. It imposed a new $46 per voyage tax "on large cruise ships to pay for vessel services".[1]

2006 election results

Text of the proposal

The text of the proposal was as follows:

This initiative would impose a $46 per person per voyage tax on large cruise ships to pay for vessel services. It would provide for the proceeds from the tax to be deposited in the state general fund and, subject to appropriation by the legislature, distributed to municipalities. It would levy a tax on cruise ship gambling activities in state waters. It would change the way cruise ship corporate income tax is calculated. It would require cruise ship operators to gather and report more information, and get a new type of permit for sewage, graywater or other wastewater before discharging in state marine waters. It would assess a $4 per passenger berth fee and require large cruise ships to have state-employed marine engineers (Ocean Rangers) licensed by the Coast Guard to observe health, safety and wastewater treatment and discharge operations. It would authorize citizen lawsuits against an owner or operator of a large cruise ship, or against the Department of Environmental Conservation, for an alleged violation of any permit condition, provision of environmental statutes or performance of duties. It would also enable a person who provides information leading to enforcement of the law to receive 25 to 50 percent of fines imposed. It would impose additional requirements on disclosures about on-ship promotions of shore-side businesses.

Campaign expenditures

The group in favor of the shipping tax was called "Responsible Cruising in Alaska". They raised and spent just $8,497.

The group opposed to the shipping tax was called "Alaskans Protecting our Economy". They raised and spent $1,357,924, with the largest single donation of $1,344,244 coming from the Northwest Cruiseship Association.[3]